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User Agreements == Oppression

Over a year ago now, Sony removed the “Other OS" feature from the Playstation. This was something they advertised as a feature, and was a big part of my decision to switch to Playstation. I’d like to be able to install Linux and awesome software like Boxee and use the Playstation as a media center. Through an online “update", they took the feature away without warning or compensation to their customers.

Now, Sony is suing developers left and right who have found ways to open the PS3 back up so that they could install Linux and restore this feature that they were promised. People in the US and UK are having their homes invaded by police who are confiscating their computers and treating them like criminals. It’s a sad world when Sony is more closed and draconian than Microsoft.

Though I know full well that the Playstation is a superior piece of technology that still hasn’t been pushed to its limits, the company behind it is corrupt and actively seeks to destroy the rights of those who purchase their products. The fact that we as consumers don’t own our technology, but merely pay for a license to use the technology, is a serious problem that could endanger our freedom if it goes on unchecked. If we decide to use a piece of hardware that we own in a way that the manufacturer doesn’t like, then we could be hit with enormous legal costs and fines. The public needs to be aware of this danger, and we need to fight back!